Amelia Shepherd walked briskly through the ER, the cacophony of alarms and hurried footsteps surrounding her. As she passed the nurses’ station, sharp words sliced through the usual noise.

“That junkie in bed 7? Probably faking again, just trying to score more meds,” one nurse sneered, exchanging a knowing glance with another.

“Give her anything, and she’ll drain the whole supply. Waste of time and resources,” the other spat, shaking her head.

Amelia’s jaw tightened. She’d heard this kind of talk before — cold, dismissive, and cruel. But she also knew there was always more beneath the surface. Ignoring their harsh judgments, she turned toward bed 7, determined to see the person behind the label and fight for her care, no matter what other hospital staff thought.